Jacksonville Jaguars Mock Draft: Final 7 Round Predictions

After all the hype, speculation, combine results and anything else that comes with the draft bonanza, the draft is finally here. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's a chance to step forward and to gain ground on the rest of the NFL.

The Jaguars have a lot to do before they're good enough to match up against anyone they face, but the progress is there. There are only a few spots left for the Jaguars to fill before a legitimately competitive team rearises in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars' Top Draft Needs

• Defensive End (Leo)
• Wide Receiver
• Running Back
• Defensive Tackle
• Offensive Guard
• Safety
• Outside Linebacker

The top three positions in the above list are the most important spots the Jaguars have to focus on in this year's draft. I fully expect each of the first three picks to go toward each of these spots.

Defensive tackle and offensive guard are both positions that need depth, but more importantly, the Jaguars need a future player to step in. The Jaguars need to make it a point to get a guy they can work with and train to step in when players eventually leave or retire.

At safety and linebacker, the Jaguars are scarce in talent past the starters. It's at these spots that they need to use some of their last picks to get guys who can contribute as backups and special teams players.

The Jaguars have a draft plan, and it probably isn't exactly the same as the one outlined here, but these are the most apparent needs for the Jaguars at the moment. We'll see if general manager Dave Caldwell has a similar plan in mind, or if there is a different direction he plans to go in Chicago.

Round 1

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

3. Leonard Williams, Defensive Tackle, Southern Cal

Anyone that has followed my writing over the past few weeks knows that I believe that Dante Fowler is the best Leo available, and that Leonard Williams is a close second. Well, not any longer. Williams is the best player in this year's draft, and as such, the Jaguars have to take him with the third overall pick.

The Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be more and more leaning toward taking Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, which means Williams will be available. 

The 6'5", 302-pound defensive tackle is the all-around best defensive lineman available, and he can give the Jaguars a dominant pass-rusher who can play nearly any position on the line. It's his versatility that sets him apart from the rest of the class; that's what eventually convinced me, and that's why the Jaguars will take him.

Williams can play the Leo position and either defensive tackle spot with relative ease, and his raw ability to disrupt the backfield could be molded into whatever the Jaguars want out of him. 

Fowler, Randy Gregory and Vic Beasley are all "true" edge-rushers, but I think Williams can look natural at more than one position. He offers a multifaceted attack and doesn't seem to have much, if any, dropoff in ability from one spot to the next.

Williams will potentially fill one need, but a guy with his athleticism and versatility is only seen every so often. If the Jaguars want the best overall player in the draft, he's their guy. 

Round 2

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

36. Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver, Southern Cal

Back-to-back players from USC? How is this possible? Well, I see the Jaguars going with the best overall player in the draft in the first round, and the second round is dependent on the activities of the first round.

There could be anywhere from four to seven receivers taken before the Jaguars' 36th pick, and I think Nelson Agholor will be there no matter what. And that's not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, Agholor has a lot to offer as a second-round pick.

Agholor, who is 6'0", 198 pounds, has progressed at USC, adding at least 400 receiving yards and four touchdowns each season from 2012 onward. Agholor's 2014 season totaled 1,313 yards and 12 TDs, and his quickness and incredible hands make him a hard target for any corner to track.

Agholor is praised by a lot of critics, including NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, for his incredible work ethic and ability to work with a scrambling quarterback. Quarterback Blake Bortles isn't exactly a scrambler, but he's shown the ability to get out of the pocket and extend plays, and Agholor would be perfect for that.

Among Dorial Green-Beckham, Phillip Dorsett, Agholor and Jaelen Strong, the Jaguars will most likely have their choice of at least three of them. I don't think they can go wrong with any of them, but Agholor would be a really useful addition for Bortles.

Round 3

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67. David Johnson, Running Back, Northern Iowa

The Jaguars have a tough choice to decide the order of positions taken in the first three rounds, but if running back is the last spot they address before the third day, David Johnson may be the best option.

I really like Jay Ajayi and Tevin Coleman, but I don't think either will make it to the third round. Johnson, on the other hand, will most likely be there. He offers more as a complete running back and has a higher ceiling than anyone else likely available in the third round.

Johnson was given a 5.6 overall rating by NFL.com, higher than T.J. Yeldon, David Cobb and Jeremy Langford, three guys that I like a lot. After further investigation, Johnson becomes an apparent leader if the Jaguars take a running back in the third round. 

Johnson was a top performer in five categories at the combine (see link above), and has the stats to match, gaining 4,682 yards and 49 TDs through four years at Northern Iowa. 

The 6'1", 224-pound back has solid speed and good moves for a guy of his size. He can bounce off tacklers, and while he won't be a finessing, tight-space type of back, he can go head-to-head with almost any defender.

Johnson is the complete package with strength, speed and an underrated ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and block. The Jaguars want a top back who can do all that they ask of him, and Johnson is a guy who can do all of it.

Round 4

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103. Za'Darius Smith, Defensive End, Kentucky

Bud Dupree is the Kentucky defensive end who is getting the most attention at the moment, but Za'Darius Smith is a good option should the Jaguars take Williams with the first pick. Strong and experienced, Smith could be a third-day pick that pays off.

Smith is another player who can get versatile on the line, and this is thanks to his 6'4", 274-pound frame. Smith was popular at Kentucky for being a guy who plays with anger and passion, and when you get to the later picks, that's a difference maker.

Smith played both ends and some DT in college and was consistently able to pressure the quarterback and disrupt plays, evidenced by his 10.5 sacks the past two seasons. 

Smith likely won't take a starting role, but he could easily offer depth at strong end and at either defensive tackle spot. With the right development, Smith could be a very useful selection for years to come.

Round 5

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139. Jeremiah Poutasi, Offensive Guard, Utah

The Jaguars currently have three offensive guards on the roster, and it's imperative they add another backup. Jeremiah Poutasi can be that backup in the fifth round, and he has the potential to be a guy who steps in when Zane Beadles leaves, retires or gets injured.

Poutasi played at both left and right tackle at Utah and started a total of 35 games. Experience and versatility are the first things most teams look for at this stage in the draft, and Poutasi offers both.

While he did play tackle in college, many believe he'd be at his best at guard in the NFL, and I like NFL.com's Lance Zierlein's analysis on why he could switch over:

"

Improving tackle prospect with athletic limitations that could always hamper his ability to consistently protect the passer as a tackle in the NFL. Played from two-point stance at Utah, but could benefit from a move inside to guard, where he can fire out and play forward. Poutasi will have to learn to sustain blocks and play with faster, stronger hands. 

"

Poutasi isn't the most athletic guard available, but I really like Zierlein's logic here. The 6'5", 335-pound lineman will never have the body to play tackle, but he offers a lot as a straight blocker. Switching him to guard could be a very smart investment.

It's never comfortable to draft a player for a position he's never played, but this isn't that big of a switch. If he can get the time to train and develop as a guard, Poutasi could turn out to be a really strong pick in a couple years.

Round 6

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180. Jordan Richards, Safety, Stanford

There seems to be a lot of debate about whether the Jaguars need a strong safety or a free safety, but for me, the more apparent need is depth at strong safety. Jordan Richards won't necessarily take a starting job in a year or two, but he could be a good backup/special teams player.

Richards was a leader and important player for Stanford the past three years, garnering nine total interceptions and 138 solo tackles in three years as a starter.

The 5'11", 211-pound safety is incredible as a defender in the run game, but his consistent three interceptions each season from 2012 to 2014 show he can hold his own. He's not the most technically gifted in coverage, but with more training, that can improve.

Richards' top potential is most likely as a backup or a special teams player, and that's not bad. The Jaguars need a guy to keep Johnathan Cyprien at his best, and adding a guy to train with and under him could pay off in a solid backup and good special teams player.

Round 7

220. Junior Sylvestre, Outside Linebacker, Toledo

With the final pick of the mock draft, I think the Jaguars will pick Junior Sylvestre for a good backup and special teams option. Sylvestre was an All-MAC first team selection the past two seasons, and he has the experience and work ethic of a player looking to make an impact in any way possible.

Sylvestre picked up 7.5 sacks and 122 solo tackles the past two seasons and was consistently the guy Toledo relied on to lead the defense. However, like 2014 selection Telvin Smith, Sylvestre's draft stock is low because of his size.

At 6'0" and 222 pounds, Sylvestre is undersized to a concerning degree. However, Sylvestre is gifted in a lot of different ways and has shown that he can cover, rush and play run defense if needed.

Sylvestre needs to put on some weight and continue working on his various abilities, but he's nearly a complete linebacker. Plus, Smith showed last season that being undersized shouldn't necessarily be a dismissal for a potential asset.